I’ve been on this journey of learning how to make our house feel like a HOME a safe haven for our family, while being really intentional about our budget, and I’ve discovered so much joy in the process. It’s all about finding the joy, and creating a little magic, in everyday moments. Which often means getting creative with what we have.
So today I’m sharing some of my favorite budget homemaking hacks that have transformed not just our space, but our routines, and our whole approach to homemaking.
Budget Homemaking Hack #1: Simplify Cleaning Supplies
I used to have a cabinet stuffed with different sprays, wipes, and potions for every single surface. It was overwhelming and expensive to constantly be replacing cleaners! Now I’ve simplified everything down to just two essential things, and it’s been such a relief.
I use dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle for washing surfaces. That’s it for general cleaning! For disinfecting, I keep rubbing alcohol in another spray bottle. These two bottles handle practically everything in my house, and they cost a fraction of what I used to spend on cleaning products for every specific thing in our house.
Budget Meal Planning Hack: Theme Weeks
Next, I have to tell you about this meal planning strategy that completely changed my life! I used to do theme nights—you know, Italian Monday, Mexican Tuesday, Asian Wednesday. It sounds fun in theory, but I was constantly buying different ingredients that would barely get used. I’d have leftover parsley wilting from Italian night, half a can of tomato paste going bad, cilantro from Mexican night that never got finished, and random spices that cost a fortune. It was such a waste of money and food.
Psssst! You can read my blog post with full menus and recipe links for each theme week here!
Reducing our food waste is one of the BIGGEST MONEY SAVING HACKS out there for homemakers!
When I decided to try theme WEEKS instead of nights, everything clicked into place. Instead of switching cuisines every single day, I pick one cuisine and stick with it for the entire week. It’s absolutely brilliant because most cultures use the same core ingredients and spices across their recipes.
Let me give you an example: during Mexican week, we might have tacos on Monday, burrito bowls on Tuesday, quesadillas on Wednesday, and enchiladas on Thursday. We’re using the same tortillas, beans, meat, cheese, and seasonings all week long. Nothing goes to waste, and I can buy ingredients in larger quantities, which is often cheaper per unit.
We rotate through Mexican weeks, Asian weeks, Italian weeks, and American comfort food weeks, “Grandma’s Recipes” weeks, “Soup and Salad weeks”. Not only does this save us so much money, but meal prep becomes a breeze because I’m working with similar ingredients all week long. I can cook a big batch of seasoned ground beef or chicken at the beginning of the week and use it in different ways throughout those seven days.
Budget Homemaking Hack #3: Putting Scraps to Use!
This might sound a little intense, but I promise it’s one of the most satisfying money-saving habits I’ve developed. I save scraps from absolutely everything, and it’s amazing how much value you can squeeze out of things you used to throw away.
All my vegetable scraps—onion peels, carrot tops, celery leaves, herb stems, mushroom stems, everything—go into a bag in my freezer. Same with meat bones and scraps. When the bag gets full, I dump everything into my slow cooker with water and let it simmer all day to make the most incredible, rich broth. This broth costs me literally nothing and tastes better than anything I could buy at the store. It’s liquid gold for soups, risottos, and cooking grains.
But here’s where it gets really fun: I do the same thing with fruit scraps! Apple cores, citrus peels, berry stems, even banana peels go into another freezer bag. Instead of buying expensive candles or air fresheners, I make simmer pots with these fruit scraps. I’ll toss some apple peels, orange rinds, and a few whole spices like cinnamon sticks or cloves into a pot of water and let it simmer on the stove. The smell is absolutely divine and fills the whole house with the most cozy, inviting scent.
And here’s the best part—when that simmer pot is done, don’t throw away the water! Let it cool down and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous scented liquid that you can repurpose. Mix it with a little witch hazel or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle for a natural room spray. Or add equal parts vinegar to make an all-purpose cleaner that smells amazing. Just remember, this will wash surfaces but won’t disinfect, so you’ll still need your rubbing alcohol spray for that.
You can also choose simmer pot recipes that will make a drink like the one below! You can then freeze it to use later, if it makes too large of a portion!
Homemaking Hack #4: Finding Your One Beautiful Thing
Let’s be real—when money’s tight, those nails, pedicures, hair appointments, lash fills, and spray tans it seems like all the girlies are doing, just aren’t in the budget. But feeling beautiful and put-together doesn’t have to be expensive. I’ve learned that it’s all about finding that one signature thing that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
For me, it might be a signature lip color that I found at TJ Maxx or Ross for a fraction of the department store price. Or maybe it’s taking ten minutes to use my overnight hair curler for effortless waves. Sometimes it’s as simple as learning to style my hair with French pins in an elegant way.
Maybe for you, it’s finding a signature perfume—and here’s a secret: you can often buy samples or travel sizes instead of investing in full bottles right away. This way, you can try different scents without the commitment and find what truly feels like “you.”
The key is identifying that one thing that makes you feel confident and beautiful, then finding budget-friendly ways to make it happen. Those discount stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshall’s are absolute goldmines for finding quality beauty products at incredible prices.
Some ideas:
- Signature lipstick
- Signature perfume
- Signature hair style (overnight curls, claw clip, French pin)
- One quality necklace, pair of earrings, or ring that you wear daily. (You can find jewelry at thrift stores!)
Happy Homemaking Hack #5 Home-y Touches That Cost Nothing
Some of my favorite homemaking details are completely free and take just a few extra seconds. These little touches make such a difference in how special and cared-for your space feels.
Try folding your hand towels or washcloths into cute animals or decorative shapes instead of just folding them in thirds. You can do this daily before your kids get home from school or your husband from work, and put them on the bed waiting for your loved ones. Just like they do on cruise ships and fancy hotels!
Another option: you can actually stamp your toilet paper, after cleaning the bathroom or doing your nightly routine. Fold the end into a triangle, then take a wet wax seal stamp, rubber stamp, or even just press the corner under the round bathroom faucet. It creates this lovely little imprint that feels so luxurious and hotel-like.
It’s such a tiny detail but can add some extra charm.
Hack #6: Thrifted Storage Solutions
Forget those expensive plastic organizers and storage systems! I’m completely obsessed with using thrifted baskets for storage throughout the house. They add so much warmth, texture, and character to any room, and they cost a fraction of what you’d pay for brand-new organizers.
I use them for everything—storing throw blankets in the living room, organizing toiletries in the bathroom, holding magazines and books, corralling toys in the kids’ rooms. The natural materials and varied textures make everything look so much more intentional and cozy than matching plastic bins ever could.
Plus, there’s something that just feels good about giving these baskets a second life. Many of them are beautifully crafted and just need a little love to shine again.
Happy Homemaking Hack #7: Creating Magical Traditions
This is probably my favorite part of budget homemaking—creating special traditions and “holidays” that don’t cost anything but feel absolutely magical. These moments become the memories your family will treasure forever.
One of our favorites is “movie and sleepover night” right in our own living room. We drag all the pillows and blankets downstairs, make a massive bowl of popcorn (seriously, we go overboard) with our air popper and kernels, and camp out together watching our favorite films. It feels like such an adventure without leaving the house.
We also have “reading and tea days,” which are exactly what they sound like. We brew our favorite tea, gather our current books, and spend the day reading in cozy corners around the house. Sometimes we’ll have old movies playing softly in the background for ambiance. It’s so peaceful and restorative.
Budget tea tip: you can grow mint in pots outdoors! It is VERY prolific, then dry it and put the leaves into a tea basket. You’ll have unlimited peppermint tea!
Another tradition: Sunday drives or picnic adventures tap into this lovely 1950s tradition that feels so timeless. Pack some sandwiches, find a pretty spot, and just enjoy being together. There’s something about slowing down and appreciating simple pleasures that feels incredibly luxurious, even when it costs almost nothing. You don’t have to drive far (gas is expensive) a little spot nearby can still feel special!
Budget Homemaking Hack #8: Granny Hobbies
I love my vintage hobbies like knitting, crochet, and sewing. But supplies can get expensive fast. When I was first learning and didn’t have much budget for fabric, yarn, or other materials, I got really creative with free and cheap alternatives.
One of my favorite discoveries was making “plarn”—that’s plastic yarn made from grocery shopping bags! You cut the bags into strips and crochet with them just like regular yarn. It’s surprisingly durable and perfect for outdoor mats, beach bags, or practice projects when you’re learning new stitches.
I learned to sew by making aprons from old bedsheets or sheets I found at thrift stores. The fabric was practically free, and if I made mistakes, it didn’t matter because I wasn’t wasting expensive material. Those early aprons weren’t perfect, but they taught me so much and gave me confidence to tackle bigger projects.
Rag quilts and patchwork projects are perfect for using up old clothes, worn-out blankets, and jeans that are past their prime. Instead of throwing these items away, I cut them into squares and piece them together into cozy quilts and throws. There’s something so satisfying about transforming worn-out items into something beautiful and useful again.
This approach to crafting taught me skills without the pressure of working with expensive materials. Some of my favorite pieces came from these early budget-friendly experiments!
Homemaking Hack #9: Decor on a Budget
Gallery walls and beautiful art don’t have to cost a fortune. One of my favorite budget decorating tricks involves hunting through thrift store book sections for beautiful picture books, coffee table books, or vintage books with gorgeous illustrations.
I carefully remove pages with images I love, then frame them against pretty fabric backgrounds. The whole project—frames, fabric, and books—can usually be sourced entirely from thrift stores! You end up with completely unique art that reflects your personal style and tells a story.
This approach is so much more interesting than mass-produced prints, and every piece has character and history. Plus, you can change out the images seasonally or whenever you want a fresh look.
The Heart of Homemaking
Here’s what I’ve learned through all of this: creating a home you absolutely love has everything to do with the intention and care you put into it, and very little to do with how much money you spend. It’s about finding joy in the process, being creative with what you have, and celebrating the small moments that make life beautiful.
When you’re simmering homemade broth from scraps, folding towels into sweet shapes, or snuggling up for a family movie night in your living room fort, you’re creating something precious that no amount of money can buy. You’re building a home filled with love, creativity, and intentionality.
Every single one of these practices has brought more joy, beauty, and coziness into our home while keeping our budget happy. The best part? None of them require perfection or expensive tools—just a willingness to see the potential for magic in everyday moments.
So grab that cup of tea, look around your space with fresh eyes, and remember: you already have everything you need to create a home that feels like a warm hug. The love and creativity you pour into it will always be the most beautiful and valuable ingredients of all.
What small change will you try first? I’d love to hear about your own budget homemaking adventures!
Want a nostalgic way to romanticize cleaning? Get my free 1950s podcast cleaning routine episodes here!
